Cedar Rapids IA vs Provo UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
78.6%
Black
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 136,859 | 114,303 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 79.7% | 78.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 8.5% | 1.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 2.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Hispanic | 5.1% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,859 | $62,800 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,824 | $26,755 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,226 | $60,713 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.9% | 4.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.8% | 22.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.9% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $210,271 | $486,127 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.2% | 39.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
296
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
1931
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 296 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1452 | 1931 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.3% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 21.5% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.2% | 12.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.4% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | 53.4°F | Cedar Rapids + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.6 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
Provo
75.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.2 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Provo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
Provo
20.1 min
| Metric | Cedar Rapids, IA | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 20.1 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 296 in Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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